Receive the latest red-fever updates in your inbox

The Texas Rangers Foundation - along with pitchers Derek Holland, Joe Nathan and shortstop Elvis Andrus - are contributing money to make up for the more than $20,000 that was reportedly stolen by the former president of the Southeast Arlington Little League. (Published Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013)

The Texas Rangers are going to bat to support some Arlington Little Leaguers whose season was canceled after a series of thefts.

Pitchers Derek Holland and Joe Nathan and shortstop Elvis Andrus joined representatives of the Southeast Arlington Little League on the field at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for a pregame check presentation. The players, along with the Texas Rangers Foundation, contributed $20,000 to help make up for the approximate $23,000 allegedly stolen from the league.

Tammy Wilson, league vice president, said the contribution was "a huge turnaround."

"It's a great day for all of us," she said. "All the kids are so excited to be here. [We are] thrilled to have the check, knowing that we're going to be able to have a great spring. It's taken a big weight off of the adults and given the kids something to look forward to."

Arlington police arrested Claudia Yamell Castillo, 34, last week after the league's board members presented investigators with evidence they say shows Castillo stole money over a period of nearly a year.

Castillo, who was the league’s president at the time, racked up nearly $9,000 worth of charges on the league’s debit and credit cards over the course of a year, according to police documents. Police say much of that money was spent at various nail salons and the Grand Prairie outlet mall during Tax-Free Weekend. Investigators also believe Castillo stole more than $14,000 of the league’s cash by writing herself checks.

"It was a slow process, and the more we uncovered, the more concerned we were with what we found," said newly elected league president Lucas Larson.

In addition to the money, the Rangers donated 550 tickets to the Little League's 300 players and their families so they could attend Wednesdays game against the Houston Astros.